timeEd32

To describe any part of the business we've done in the last two windows as "shocking" is a complete overreaction.

Agree unless they are worse than we know.

Didn’t Targett have a dead leg? Better get to watch this guy on Saturday.

Agree, wouldn’t even shock me if we lose as I doubt we’ll be at full strength and they’ve had an extra days rest.

This is the problem - in a perfect world where everything aligned we could finish in the top 6. But the gap is still so wide. We bring on Wood and Murphy at Anfield while Chelsea are spending 100m euros on a guy they don’t even need for at least a year. I think there will likely be some frustration tomorrow, but if you take the emotion out of it then sticking to the plan of taking steps each window is the reality of how this likely needs to be done.

Where's the downvote button?

We just need to become good enough that we're accepted into the club. Then we'll be scoring winners at the Gallowgate end in the 102nd minute.

That was gutting, but unbelievable what he's done in less than a year.

Fuck that.

Losing now would be very painful.

The level of confidence is kind of incredible. I can't wait to watch him play again.

I'm guessing the solution to this is more possession as we get better and assert more control, but the endless pressing we do does seem to leave half the team dead about an hour in.

This board and injuries, my word. Player trips over his own feet -- "welp, Isak's dead. we're fucked forever."

I think I hate them more than anyone now.

Are the fans of any club ever happy?

Neymar to Chelsea, Pulisic on loan with option to buy.

Would be absolute scenes on here if that happened to Isak.

Can't wait until they need to rename that account The Other 13 and leave us out of it.

That should be a solid reminder of the insane gap that exists between us and the established top 6.

I'd much rather have Isak, or a CM, or literally anything else than a backup GK that is moderately better than our 3rd choice GK.

Did getting Pope leave us in a stronger position? Is using £2m in annual wages (plus the rest of the fee(s)) better spent on someone other than a backup GK?

I cannot believe the (over)reaction to this deal.

He was struggling at the end of the City game, but I assumed/hoped he was just very tired.

What if we need to trim the squad and he's one of the only real offers we have? What if we need to cut wages and he's only of the only options? What if the club think he's declining and this is the last chance to shift an aging keeper? What if we are worried he'll be sulking for the next four months? What if we don't think there's that much of a difference between him and Darlow? I think it's worth considering all of these questions (as well as the fact that we don't even know all the details of the offer) before saying we've made some colossal mistake that is largely being driven by the emotion of it being Manchester United.

Now replace Shelvey with someone with legs and then we have Willock and Shelvey (second half of season) as decent second choice. Longstaff becomes the 6th option, which is fine. Then we also have Anderson who can potentially cover a more attacking position. Up front we have a choice between Isak and Wilson, Almiron as the backup on either wing, Anderson, and then Murphy. A DM or a versatile CM won't fix everything, but it definitely goes the furthest in terms of adding both first XI quality and depth.